WHAT do Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, rocker Rod Stewart and EastEnders star Barbara Windsor have in common? Well, these were just some of the stars who turned out last Friday for the opening of a flower shop run by former Royal butler Paul Burrell.

Although the famous faces were not there in person, they are among a number of photographed stars who adorn the walls of the store at The Cross in Holt.

Mr Burrell, charged with stealing Royal possessions valued at £5m, had his picture taken with them a few years ago and made sure the opening of his florists was also a glitzy affair.

The 43-year-old turned out in a grey Versace suit to launch his store alongside veteran music hall star Danny La Rue and his gym mate Steven Pinder, of Upton, Chester, who plays Max Farnham in Brookside.

Photographers swarmed the trio as Danny La Rue, an adopted godfather of Mr Burrell's sons Alex, 16, and Nick, 13, cut a red ribbon to open the shop.

Villagers also looked on as Mr Burrell stood with his wife Maria, a former maid to the Duke of Edinburgh.

Mr Burrell, of High Street, Farndon, had worked for Diana, Princess of Wales for 12 years and was regarded as her 'rock'.

He said: 'It's a very important day for me. It gives me a new career.

I have always been familiar with flowers having arranged them for the Princess at Kensington Palace. It's a good focus for me.'

Speaking in relation to his forthcoming court case, Mr Burrell added:

'It's been very difficult. But I have had support from my family and friends.

I could not have done it without them.'

Asked who would run the shop and what his favourite flowers were Mr Burrell quipped: 'My wife Maria is on a crash course on flower arranging.

I love roses. That's no surprise is it?'

As friends and family sipped Champagne inside, Mr Burrell laughed with Danny La Rue outside and explained how their friendship started. 'I met him nine years ago in London,' said Mr Burrell. 'I went to one of his concerts and the Princess sent flowers which I delivered.'

Danny La Rue, who travelled up from his Southampton home for the event, said Mr Burrell needed the support his friends and told how he had introduced him to showbiz pals like TV star Brian Conley.

The 75-year-old entertainer also spoke of his great friendship with the late princess.

'She would come to the theatre in a little funny hat,' he said. 'She used to come to my pantomimes.'

He was also confident Mr Burrell would sail through his current problems.

'I lost millions. People thought I would top myself,' said the entertainer.

'Without religion and faith I could not have done it. He (Paul) is a very honest man. He is a strong man with a great character.'

As photographers and journalists left the village, many stars dropped in to wish Mr Burrell's business venture a success including Brookside actor Dean Sullivan alias Jimmy Corkhill as well as actress Sue Johnstone from The Royle Family.

Mr Burrell's wife said the support from the public had been outstanding.

She said: 'We had a really good response over the weekend. We had a lot of calls from people wishing us well.'

- Paul Burrell used the opening of his florists to launch a new Beanie Bear which will raise money for the victims of the New York terrorist attacks.

His association with Beanie Babies is longstanding. He launched the purple Beanie Baby which raised £22m for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.